PC-BSD, the desktop-oriented FreeBSD variant, has released version 7.1, dubbed Galileo. In case you don't know, PC-BSD is a FreeBSD distribution with lots of customisations focussed on the desktop user. Its most defining features is the Push Button Installer, a self-contained package format with handy installers/uninstallers. PC-BSD 7.1 comes loaded with changes and updates.

It comes packed with the latest version of KDE4, KDE 4.2.2, as well as X.org 7.4. As the version number suggests, PS-BSD 7.1 builds on the FreeBSD 7.1-STABLE branch. The most important changes:

The new KDE 4 printer applet enables users to easily add and manage printers and print jobs without using the CUPS web interface.

The Add / Remove Programs tool and the Update Manager have been consolidated into "Software & Updates."

The Updater Tray has been modified into a small tray-only applet that shows users when updates are available. This is far less taxing on the CPU than its previous versions.

FreeBSD ports and packages can now be created by utilizing the “runports” command.

Greater stability for Flash 9 allows users to get higher quality from Flash sites such as Hulu and Youtube.

Enhancements have been made to PC-BSD's System Installer, including upgrade functionality for those who wish to install PC-BSD while preserving their user data.

Fixes have been made to bugs in the Wi-Fi and Networking tools, as well as to previous Linux Emulation problems.

It also comes with Warden, a graphical frontend for FreeBSD Jails functionality. "The Warden makes jail creation and management accessible to a greater number of users, and provides a secure and isolated environment for all sorts of uses, such as a mail server, database server, or webserver, to name a few. Warden configurations, called Inmates, can be used to instantly load pre-configured jails into the Warden."

Kris Moore, PC-BSD Software Development Manager at iXsystems, and founder of the project, is happy with the new release (really?). "Galileo utilizes the latest KDE developments to bring style and functionality to the PC-BSD operating system," he says, "New KDE visual effects accent the stability and security of the Galileo Edition of PC-BSD. With new printing features and improvements to the Push Button Installer and Warden utility, PC-BSD 7.1 is now even easier to use."